Linear Technology offers the LT6018 precision low-noise amp

Very-high-performance amplifiers at a pretty low cost are a great gift to modern engineers. Devices with these knock-out specs allow designers to do things they never could before — or at least not within the necessary space, power, and price. A new part from Linear Technology, the LT6018, has some great specifications, especially for low noise. This device will be great for precision signal processing, data acquisition, and professional audio.

Low noise is this amp's forte. Input noise voltage over 0.1 Hz to 10 Hz is just 0.03 µV and input noise voltage density at 1 KHz is 1.2 nV/√Hz. But don’t stop there — input offset voltage is typically just ±7 µV and max over-temperature is ±75 µV. Total harmonic distortion at RL = 600 Ω, f = 10 kHz is −104 dB. Open-loop gain is typically 142 dB, enabling the part to achieve linearity better than 1 ppm.

The LT6018 comes in −40°C to 85°C or −40°C to 125°C temperature ranges and in plastic SO or DFN packages. It can use a supply voltage of up to 36 V. Input bias current is 150 na max at room and 400 na max. Common-mode rejection is minimum 120 dB (133 dB typical) and PSRR is 128 dB minimum. The 6018 has a gain-bandwidth product of 11 MHz minimum and slew rate is up to 30 V/µs. Supply current is 9 mA maximum over −40°C to 85°C. In low-power shutdown, supply current is 6.2 µA.

So you can see this device does have great performance specifications. It’s not the low-power or speed champion, but other than that, it’s got you covered. You will have to come up with $3.25 ea/1,000 to buy the LT6018.